Breaking into VC, Networking Advice Requested

All,

I just joined a mid stage startup which does information management for businesses after a year of consulting. I perform a myriad of tasks, from operations and logistics, to the implementation consulting to the programming / R&D. I have a technology/math undergrad degree from a not Ivy good school (think top 20)

All of the above is cool, and great experience, I guess. But, I really want to perform some sort of VC work. I have read many an article on how to crack into the field, but it seems like networking is the way to go. Anyone with any advice on approach to doing this? The startup is located in a city that has a lot of financial services and healthcare early/mid stage VC companies in the area, but not a major city by any means.

Thoughts? Advice?

 

This isn't about exactly the same topic, but a lot of the same principles apply - it's all about good, tenacious networking. This is even more important in VC, since it's a much smaller world, smaller firms, and a generally more reputation-based business.

http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/how-to-jump-to-the-buyside-after-…

- Capt K - "Prestige is like a powerful magnet that warps even your beliefs about what you enjoy. If you want to make ambitious people waste their time on errands, bait the hook with prestige." - Paul Graham
 

You need start-up experience, banking experience, or consulting experience to land a VC gig. Very few firms take analysts fresh from college except mainly to do sourcing (calling random companies and trying to bring deals to the pipeline).

Cheers.
 
BankingWaffle:
You need start-up experience, banking experience, or consulting experience to land a VC gig. Very few firms take analysts fresh from college except mainly to do sourcing (calling random companies and trying to bring deals to the pipeline).

If you did start right out of college are you even learning anything that will help you move up?

 
MagyarMoney:
BankingWaffle:
You need start-up experience, banking experience, or consulting experience to land a VC gig. Very few firms take analysts fresh from college except mainly to do sourcing (calling random companies and trying to bring deals to the pipeline).

If you did start right out of college are you even learning anything that will help you move up?

Not really, you'd be more or less a calling machine. Most of the skills at the junior-level of a VC can be attained at a call center or doing sales. Breaking into VC should be more of a long term goal

 
USC8888:
MagyarMoney:
BankingWaffle:
You need start-up experience, banking experience, or consulting experience to land a VC gig. Very few firms take analysts fresh from college except mainly to do sourcing (calling random companies and trying to bring deals to the pipeline).

If you did start right out of college are you even learning anything that will help you move up?

Not really, you'd be more or less a calling machine. Most of the skills at the junior-level of a VC can be attained at a call center or doing sales. Breaking into VC should be more of a long term goal

The way you move up is getting an MBA & some corp. dev experience/start-up experience

 
Best Response
USC8888:
USC8888:
MagyarMoney:
BankingWaffle:
You need start-up experience, banking experience, or consulting experience to land a VC gig. Very few firms take analysts fresh from college except mainly to do sourcing (calling random companies and trying to bring deals to the pipeline).

If you did start right out of college are you even learning anything that will help you move up?

Not really, you'd be more or less a calling machine. Most of the skills at the junior-level of a VC can be attained at a call center or doing sales. Breaking into VC should be more of a long term goal

The way you move up is getting an MBA & some corp. dev experience/start-up experience

I was under the impression that if I went the MBA route without vc experience first, that it would be harder.

Are you saying start at vc, then go into ib or mc and then MBA?

 

I know several Principals and Partners at VCs, along with some associates/analysts.

I know because I've won hackathons (my name is google-able) and attend a lot of tech events. So my scope is very limited, just to preface.

They take entrepreneurs that have had successful/semi-successful startups or engineers. Especially at the early stage series A rounds, they don't even talk modeling. They talk about team background, team synergy, and market for their concept. That's what they base funding off.

Engineers help them understand the technical roadmap/bullshit killer at meetings. Successful entrepreneurs assess management teams.

The vast amount of VCs in tech are early stage; there are very few late stage funds that require modeling experience.

 

Ut sed nam voluptatem numquam aperiam est pariatur. Ullam dignissimos voluptas voluptates eum ut. Voluptas odit aperiam nobis quas sint mollitia. Aut quos saepe illo vitae iure veritatis blanditiis.

Commodi ut nihil voluptatem reprehenderit facilis unde et. Aperiam magnam doloribus dolores consequuntur corrupti velit sequi. Eligendi animi voluptatum repellat consectetur cumque accusamus.

Career Advancement Opportunities

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. (++) 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (86) $261
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (13) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (202) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (144) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”